The Diocese of Sacramento said it will no longer fund a Sacramento nonprofit that serves the homeless, largely because of the personal views of the organization's leadership.

The diocese has supported Francis House financially for more than a decade, giving about $10,000 a year, according to diocese spokesman Kevin Eckery.

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"The money will continue to go to the homeless. We are just doing it in a different way," Eckery said.

KCRA obtained a letter sent to Francis House by the Rev. Michael Kiernan, the Director of Social Services for the Sacramento Diocese.

The letter states, "Your care and concern for the homeless is deep and abiding. We share it as well. But your strong public support for Planned Parenthood and same-sex marriage -- which are in direct opposition to Catholic teaching -- make it impossible for the diocese to continue funding Francis House as part of the 2012 Annual Catholic Appeal... The diocese doesn't expect organizations funded through the Appeal to actively promote Catholic teaching. We can expect, however, that they or their leaders not publicly oppose Catholic teaching, and that unfortunately, is the situation in which we find ourselves."

Last year, Francis House hired the Rev. Faith Whitmore as its new executive director after the organization's former leader, Gregory Bunker, died.

Whitmore has been a supporter of Planned Parenthood and same-sex marriage, but she said she never associated her personal views with the nonprofit.

When asked how she felt about the diocese's decision, Whitmore said, "I was disappointed and surprised. We have appreciated their support in the past, disappointed it won't continue, and surprised it had to do with me as an individual."

Eckery said acknowledged that Francis House does not fund or actively support Planned Parenthood or same-sex marriage as an organization, but Eckery said the diocese wanted to clear up any potential confusion regarding its values.

"People lose sight of the fact the this is Catholic money, and they want to use it in a way there is no confusion over the expression of their values," Eckery said.

KCRA 3 obtained the most recent tax filings from Francis House. The yearly contribution from the diocese makes up about 2 percent of the organization's annual budget, but Whitmore said every penny counts in this economy.

"Anything that impacts our financial standing impacts the people we serve," Whitmore said.

Francis House said it fully supports its director, and Whitmore said her convictions won't change.

Eckery said the diocese also wanted to clear up confusion about Francis House.

Although, at one time the organization was part of the Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish, it has long been a nondemoninational organization.